Roller board device



April 8, 1958 F. G. LUDWIG ROLLER BOARD DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 8, 1955 April 8, 1958 LUDWIG ROLLER BOARD DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 8, 1955 W? mw mz W a ww ROLLER BOARD DEVICE Frederic George Ludwig, Woodbridge, Conn. Application June 8, 1955, Serial No. 513,966 1 Claim. (Cl. 272-1) The present invention relates to a gymnastic device or toy of the type used to develop balancing skill and more particularly to the so-called Bongo Board.

The Bongo Board consists chiefly of a board about three feet long placed about six to eight inches in diameter and a bit longer than the width of the board. The purpose of the device is to test ones skill in balancing by attempting to balance the board on the cylindrical rolling member. For the novice, this device is very dangerous in that it may quickly run out from under the unskilled user causing a serious fall.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate the dangers described by providing the novice with means for controlling the above-described devices. 1

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a controlling means for a Bongo Board which comprises a rope wound around the cylindrical rolling member of the device, extending beyond the ends of the board, and held in thehands of the user to control the turn or roll of the cylinder.

Other and more detailed objects will be apparent from the following description and drawing wherein the same numerals designate the same structure in the various views.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device embodied in the present invention showing the manner in which it is used.

Figure 2 is an exploded view of Figure 1 showing in perspective the details of the elements of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section taken through line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a section taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a'section similar to Figure 4 showing an alternative means of winding the rope around the cylindrical rolling member.

Figure 6 is a partial plan view of a board of the present device showing the details of the end pulley.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a modification of the present invention broken away to show the details of the pulley construction.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 the board portion of the device is designated at 1. This may be made of any suitable material, preferably of wood, and of any convenient length and width. A convenient length for the board would be about three feet. Board 1 is provided at its lateral edges with notches 2 to provide means for pulley 4. Pulley 4 is rotatively supported in notch 2 of board 1 by shaft 5. The undersurface of board 1 is States Patent Ofiice on a cylindrical rolling member The rope 3 may be a simple rope as shown in Figures rope.

In use rope 3 is wound around cylindrical rolling member 7 in groove 8 either as illustrated in Figure 4 or in Figure 5.

more freely when tension on the rope is relaxed. When the user becomes thoroughly proficient, the be removed.

References Cited in the file of this patent OTHER REFERENCES Washington Post, of Washington, D. C., Parade Section, Oct. 25, 1953; pages 16, 17, 18 and 19. 

